Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Okay, I know that sounds really stupid coming from me, the classic rock/heavy metal/ hair band lover that I am. Who knew this girl had such insight? When her album drops January 2015, I will be first in line to get it.

﻿Speaking of atmosphere, despite being sunny, it was far from warm and really windy

I was glad to have my new raincoat with the warm, tiger fleece lining.

Later in the day, we took a stroll around town, taking in the sites. Neither Gator, nor Nici had ever been there before and I was all too happy to extol the rich Auburn traditions, and history.

This is one of three statues in front of the stadium. The first of three Auburn Heisman Trophy winners, Pat Sullivan. Today, Auburn faces the Sanford Bulldogs, coached now by Sullivan.

From the paw print at Toomer's Corner and the new wires, hung for the victory rolling until there are oaks once again, grown from saplings of the storied Toomer's Oaks. You may remember the original oaks died after being poisoned by a rabid bammer back in 2010.

To Sanford Hall, the oldest building on campus. I always enjoy mingling with other like-minded Auburn fans but especially love people-watching.

Sometimes, you can actually spot a celebrity there, taking time out of their busy schedule to take in the ambience.

(I will keep your secret, Santa)

I also ran into my brother, Dooder, and his buddy PJ.

We took a minute to grab a (rare) quick pic together.

While we were waiting in line, the boys, friends since they were small, decided to clown around with my phone

But when the time came to actually take our picture, I was happy that my brother actually behaved and we have a really nice photo memory.

Soon it was time to make our way to the stadium.

Now despite The Boss being a huge bammer fan, she is married to an Auburn man. He is also a coach. Because Gator had a bum ankle, and all the walking around in the increasingly cold temperatures was starting to tax it, he offered to give us his coaches tickets so that we didn't have to climb to our own seats at the top of the stadium. He was going to sit with a friend in the end zone. This was a win/win for us all.

These were possibly the best seats I had ever had in Jordan Hare. We were eight rows behind the hedges.

The view was amazing and we settled in to watch the game. The opening ceremony was Senior recognition, and Senior band members lined the sideline. You can see them behind me. This was followed by Senior cheerleaders and finally the football team. Aubie seemed to have a time keeping still.

I can't say that I blame him. The next part of the pregame is probably the most anticipated and most exciting in of college football today.

They released Nova, one of two eagles currently trained to fly within the stadium, just over my right shoulder. I had chills as he swooped down over the field, in a large graceful arc. I almost forgot to take a picture, and only got this one.

The eagles are trained to make a loop over the crowd and then hit a target with a treat at center field. It is often said that the eagles do still possess free will, and every release is somewhat questionable. Nova decided to give the crowd one last thrill and circled overhead once more. This time he was much lower, almost close enough to touch. Also close enough to poop on the fans two rows back.

He hit his mark and collected his reward.

Afterward the band took the field for The National Anthem.

As a former majorette myself, I always love to watch the majorettes, and was delighted when they were on my end of the field.

As the game started, it also started to sprinkle. Not bad at first. The eagle handlers passed in front of us with Nova, the golden eagle and Spirit, the bald eagle.

Nova

Spirit

Sometime into the 2nd quarter, the rain picked up considerably and we decided that we had seen enough.

We packed up and headed for home.

Next week we face our instate rivals. one of the most fierce rivals in college football.

Thursday, November 20, 2014

This little ditty is the brain-child of 20 year old rising star (or future one hit wonder...who knows) Meghan Trainor. It's catchy beat, doo-wop undertone and Meghan's baby doll voice has made this song a hit. Throw in the "love your body" message and this one keeps everyone humming.

How much healthier would my self-esteem be today if ths song was around when I was growing up?

Even when I was thin, there was someone pointing out things I shouldn't love about myself. When I became a big girl, I just wanted to hide and become one of those people that you read about when they are cutting the wall out of their house to remove their dead bodies with a forklift. Now Miss Meghan is far from what I would call "fat." As a matter of fact, the only person in the whole video who would possibly benefit from that description might just be the fella in the pink shirt, and he is getting his groove on like nobody's business.

It took me nearly my whole life to decide to be happy with myself and it took just that action.
Deciding to be happy.

Now don't think that I am going to let myself go or anything. I am having to watch what I eat for my ticker, and to keep my diabetes in check because Lord help me, I will NOT be put on dialasys when I am old. I am just more forgiving of myself. The added dilligence has rewarded me with a much smaller pants size and a surprisingly younger-looking, healthier appearance. Many have commented about how much better I look now than I did ten years ago. And trust me, I am getting no complaints.

Of course, there is a "bass" worthy girl trapped inside, screaming for cake, cookies and bread. She and I dance on a daily basis. She wants to fudge and eat bbq and white cheddar cheese dip every day. I take her Whole Foods and shut her up with steamed kale and grilled portabello mushrooms.

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

I had occasion to run into a former relative of mine (read: a relative of D/H) a few days ago, who told me that the whole family thought I would make D/H "respectable and responsible", but he again, had disappointed everyone. All had agreed he had married up. This person went onto say that I "was (D/H's) only redeeming quality", and now he is "with trash of his own kind" and how that spoke to his classlessness, not mine.

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Now before you think there is some magic money fairy somewhere who keeps paying my bills, you are wrong. I am responsible for myself. No need to mooch off anyone, or try to sweet talk my way into someone's wallet. But somehow, I keep paying ahead!

I pay all my bills on line. Ther box where the "amount due" amount appears is different from website to website. For some reason, I keep paying an amount from the wrong area, thus overpaying my bill and creating this interesting credit situation with the gas company. How fortuitous!

There is no telling what the utility companies are thinking about right now given that when I had a family of five living in my house the bills were NEVER paid on time, Kinda like The Hecks in "The Middle."

I stumbled upon "The Middle" late one night during one of my bouts of insomnia. I laughed til I cried because I could relate to so much of what the character, tv mom Frankie Heck (aka Patricia Heaton of "Everybody Loves Raymond" {excpet me}fame) was going through. I had to laugh when "Mike's" lost wallet is finally "found" and the first thing he pulls out is the "credit card that we pay for all the other credit cards."

I know that God has been doing some miraculous things in my life lately. Like I am being rewarded for remaining faithful to His Word. For being a "Proverbs 31" wife and mother, despite what ultimately happened.

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Carol Ann Susi, that actress famous for being the unseen, but never unheard, tv mother of The Big Bang Theory's character "Howard Wolowitz" has died. She was 62 and had played the ever elusive Mrs Wolowitz for eight seasons.

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Those who don't vote on November 4th have no right to compain on November 5th.

As big a fan of Lady GaGa as I am (yes, I am a "Little Monster") I had to laugh when I found this spoof of "Bad Romance" on suffrage. My generation takes this for granted, but give a listen and learn something. Every woman of voting age should do it.

About Me

Confession time: I'm a 40-something Alabama girl,with big city ideas just lucky enough to be raised in a small town. Why "Just Joy"? When I was a kid, people always tried to call me Joyce and I'd respond "No, it's JUST JOY." I've been known as that ever since! (Just Joy for over 40 years now...take that fake "just joy's") Mother of 3: my oldest daughter "Julz",my boy, "Tigger", and my baby-girl, "Kit-Kat". I'm a blue-eyed, Baptist, baton-twirler who still enjoys a good "dress up vacation" and occassionally comes home with a crown souvenir.
My heart bleeds orange & blue ~War Eagle! I work for a coffee company. I've wanted to be a writer since I was about 10 years old, but looks like this is as close as I'm ever going to get. This is my point of view, regardless of how slanted it may be. My motto for life I stole from Gene Simmons: "Any day above ground is a good day."
~~~~~~~~~ REMEMBER:
"As long as you know me, there will be JOY in your life."~~~~~En-JOY